Workshop on Working and Living Conditions for Fishers held in Kaohsiung, 5-6 May 2019

　　The Workshop on Working and Living Conditions for Fishers was held in Kaohsiung from 6 to 7 May 2019 collaboratively by the Director-General for the Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission and the Fisheries Agency of Taiwan. Relevant authorities, such as the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and local governments, as well as representatives from the academic and industry all attended.

　　The Fisheries Agency stated that, in recent years, much effort has been made to enhance the rights and benefits of foreign crews on distant water fishing vessels. To improve the quality of working environment of Taiwan’s distant water fisheries and to better govern the overseas employment of foreign crews, the Regulations on the Authorization and Management of Overseas Employment of Foreign Crew Members were enacted by the Fisheries Agency on 20 January 2017. Key provisions of the Regulations include minimum monthly wage and means of payment clearly specified; types of insurances and minimum insured amount increased; control over recruitment agents strengthened through permit and security bonds schemes; fine for agents and vessel owners increased, and so forth.

　　With a view to further enhancing the rights and benefits of the foreign crews employed overseas and giving due consideration to the characteristics of the fishing industry, the Fisheries Agency expressed that it will continue to review the abovementioned Regulations based on the implementation thereof and other relevant laws and regulations as appropriate. By strengthening the protection for the rights and benefits of foreign crews, a more positive image for distant water fisheries could be established as well.

　　The Fisheries Agency also pointed out that foreign crews are an essential workforce in Taiwan’s fisheries. For Taiwanese vessel owners, the foreign crews are not only employees, but also significant working partners at sea. With this Workshop, the Fisheries Agency expected that Taiwan and the European Union could share relevant experience, in the hope of working together towards quality working conditions and environments for fishing crews.


　　　　Spokesman: Deputy Director-General Mr. Kuo-pin Lin
　　　　E-mail: kuoping@ms1.fa.gov.tw

Mr. Chen Tien-shou, Deputy Minister of Council of Agriculture(open a new window)

Ms. Andriana Sukova, Deputy Director General, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission(open a new window)

Ms. Madeleine Majorenko, Head of European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan(open a new window)

Group Photo of representatives from European Commission and Council of Agriculture(open a new window)